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Bab al-Luq Reimagined: Computation, Climate, and Cultural Memory This project approaches the Bab al-Luq Market not as a blank surface for formal experimentation, but as a site layered with climatic intelligence and symbolic meaning. Its proposal is rooted in two elements deeply embedded in Cairene architectural and cultural memory: the malqaf and the lotus flower. … Read more
This project focuses on the reviving of the Bab Al-Lug market in Cairo, through the topics of Light, Path and Structure. Design idea: Established in 1912, the Bab Al-Lug market offered a state-of-the-art modern design inspired by the Halles in Paris The market’s metal structure is a typical example of tectonic architecture with its lightweight, … Read more
I am excited to share The Veil of Bab Al-Luq, an architectural intervention designed by Sushmitha Ravi that reimagines the historic Bab Al-Luq Market in Downtown Cairo. The project seeks to restore the vibrancy of this iconic urban space by actively addressing its most urgent environmental challenge—the intense heat of Cairo’s hot, dry climate—through integrated … Read more
// Introduction Let’s be honest: when we talk about reviving historic sites, the conversation usually goes one of two ways. Either we treat the building like a museum piece that can never be touched, or we drop a cold, glass-and-steel box in the middle of it and call it “modern.” For the Bab al-Luq market … Read more
The “sedimented light” effect created by the lattice, filtering sunlight into the market below . Introduction – More Than Just a Roof In the dense historic fabric of Cairo, light is both a blessing and a burden. The Luminous Stratum proposes a new architectural language that negotiates this relationship – a “volume of sedimented light” … Read more
Verdant evokes lush greenery and vitality, capturing the essence of this parametric roof redesign that transforms a mundane urban building into an organic canopy. Inspired by the delicate structure of bamboo leaves, the project employs randomly oriented gold-anodized louvres to create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, mimicking sunlight filtering through foliage. This modern … Read more
Introduction The name Bisat-al-Nur—carpet of light—embodies both poetry and precision: a modern design rooted in tradition, echoing Cairo’s historic markets while reinterpreting them with contemporary materials and climate-responsive strategies. Ingredients The project is built on four ingredients: Design Process Layers The design unfolds across four layers: The strategy was to leave the existing market mostly … Read more
A comprehensive environmental assessment and design optimization process was developed for a proposed residential development located in Palermo, Italy. This study integrates climate analysis, massing optimization, outdoor thermal comfort assessment and the development of a final design proposal informed by performance-based criteria. Introduction The project area covers approximately 6,500 m2 within a dense and flat residential … Read more
Case Study Site Context The site is located at 46.2330, 6.0556 in Meyrin, Geneva, Switzerland. It includes the Esplanade des Particules, within the CERN campus, and covers an area of 45.000 sqm, surrounded by a urban residential area with low-rise buildings. The primary land uses in the vicinity include grass and allotments. The site’s location … Read more
Introduction This project, developed by Group D (Giovanni Carlo Volpe, Nihan Malkoç, Sushmitha Ravi, Zeynep Sezen Dursun) as part of the Master in Advanced Computation for Architecture & Design at IAAC, explores a computationally driven strategy for creating environmentally responsive architecture in the challenging climate of Ahmedabad, India. Through a rigorous process utilizing Digital Tools … Read more
Inspirations The Earthen Curtains project is rooted in a deep reflection on vernacular architecture and passive sustainability. The primary formal and conceptual inspiration is derived from the work of Hassan Fathy and the tradition of the Nubian Vaults. This architectural heritage, celebrated for the use of local materials (raw earth) and intrinsic climatic strategies, is … Read more
The name Le Monstre Merveille reflects the duality:a structure that appears complex and almost monstrous in form, yet creates a delicate, controlled, and humane interior experience.Rather than replacing the existing structure, the concept focuses on preserving the order and hierarchy of the original architecture, while inserting a new system that acts almost like a parasite—adapting, … Read more
Introduction Group Async A, comprised of Charles Abi Chahine, Emilie El Chidiac, María Sánchez, and Lakzhmy Zaro, conducted an environmental analysis of a redevelopment project in Tokyo, Japan. We focused on a 19-hectare plot that was historically the site of the Tsukiji fish market. The Challenge of Dressing for TokyoAnyone who has visited Tokyo’s famous … Read more
The objective was to transform the existing historic roof market of Bab El-Louk in Cairo through parametric roof design and optimized user circulation while maintaining the existing steel frames. DESIGN CONCEPT & EARLY EXPLORATIONS At the beginning, the goal was to find the roof form by using the existing roof surfaces shown in pink. Starting … Read more
Team members: Nguyen Vu Tue Minh (Chloe), Eduardo Martinez Toribio, Symon Kipkemei Modified by Nguyen Vu Tue Minh on December 12, 2025 //CONTEXT //SITE INFORMATION //CLIMATIC ANALYSIS //DESIGN PARAMETERS 1. Precedent Study & Early stage explorations 2. Form Study 3. Design Exploration To test our ideas effectively, we simplified our design proposal into clean, minimal … Read more
Saint Julian’s City in Malta Saint Julian’s is Malta’s nightlife and tourism epicenter (Paceville), causing extreme population density and infrastructure strain in summer. Its coastal development makes it highly vulnerable to climate change impacts like sea-level rise, while its energy-intensive industry contributes to Malta’s emissions. Environmental Analysis to Inform Design Environmental Analysis Workflow The workflow … Read more
